Fourteen European Union parliamentary members are slated to make a five-day trip to Tehran on Oct. 27 for what is being called a “bridge building exercise.” B’nai B’rith International calls on the E.U. to cancel the proposed visit.

“If this delegation goes to Tehran it would be counterproductive to the efforts being made to isolate Iran,” B’nai B’rith International President Allan J. Jacobs said. “Going over there with the intention of ‘bridge building’ is the exact opposite of what needs to happen. Instead the E.U. must continue to press Iran to hold its government accountable for efforts to create nuclear weapons.”The announcement of the parliamentary trip comes just days after the E.U. imposed further sanctions against Iran, banning the importation of natural gas, among other things. “Engaging the Iranians in this way only kicks the can further down the road,” B’nai B’rith International Executive Vice President Daniel S. Mariaschin said. “It sends the wrong message to a country that has no regard for its own people and no regard for international peace or stability. Better to increase sanctions as the E.U. announced yesterday.” The last time the E.U. sent a parliamentary delegation to Iran was in 2007. Several people were hanged in public during their visit in a clear showing of disregard for the European representatives.